262 THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



2. Where the region is moist and the branches will 

 absorb moisture quickly. 



3. Where the forest is so dense that piling and 

 burning is impracticable. 



4. Where the conditions of logging and of the 

 market are such that the greater part of the tree is util- 

 ized and but little crown is left, while what is left will 

 not be especially dangerous if thoroughly lopped and 

 scattered. 



5. Where the scattering of the branches is necessary 

 or desirable to protect the soil and small seedlings from 

 drought or frost. 



Broadcast Burning. — For a number of years it has 

 been the custom of certain lumbermen to burn their 

 slashings, in order to protect valuable standing timber 

 on neighboring areas. There is usually no attempt to 

 regulate the fire within the area burned, and all living 

 trees and young growth upon it are destroyed along with 

 the brush and debris. From the standpoint of forest 

 production such fires are very destructive. 



The principle of broadcast burning may, however, be 

 used to advantage in making clear-cuttings, provided 

 the fire can be confined to small areas and fully controlled. 

 Thus, in making clearings in patches and strips in cer- 

 tain of the National Forests, the slashings are burned on 

 the ground without piling. This method is now under 

 trial in some of the clear-cuttings in the northwestern 

 National Forests, where, in addition to the slash from 

 the cuttings, there is a great accumulation of debris and 



